Unconventional steed: Suzuki Avenis

It was only in July 2023 when Suzuki introduced the all-new Avenis to the local market. The said offering makes up the Japanese motorcycle brand’s five-nameplate lineup that includes the Burgman Street EX, Burgman Street, Skydrive Crossover and Skydrive Sport.  

The pricing of the offering — dubbed the “Muscular Sporty Scooter” is placed in between the Skydrive Crossover and the Burgman Street (which wears price tags of 73,900 and P83,4000, respectively.

Is the price worth it? Let’s find out today.

Aesthetics

The all-new Suzuki Avenis is known for being a “Muscular Sporty Scooter” — and the tagline is highly-expressed on its overall design.

It sports a very athletic vibe with its chiseled design (as seen in the head- and tail lamps), and beefy exhaust pipe.

The motorcycle also has a no-nonsense look due to the lack of chrome trimmings (aside from the company logo at the fore).

Despite getting the attention of many onlookers, we have to admit, the scooter's front fascia may be considered an acquired taste to many.

Powertrain

Propelling the scooter is a 124 cubic-centimeter, four-stroke, single-cylinder, two-valve, fuel-injected engine. On paper, the mill can dish out 8.7 horsepower and 10 Newton-meters of torque.

Riding the motorcycle for more than 100 kilometers in South Luzon urban roads (Canlubang Laguna to Tiaong, Quezon), the scooter was able to carry a six-foot-two rider that weighs more than 220 pounds — recording an average of around 40 kilometers-per-liter consumption.

The all-new Suzuki Avenis is fitted with disc brake at the front and drum brake at the rear. While the stopping is enough when compared to the oomph that it can deliver, replacing the rear drum with a disc brake would be much welcomed.

Comfort

Riders of typical Filipino size might find the all-new Suzuki Avenis for their daily needs.

While we find 13-inch shoes can be a little tight fit on the all-new Avenis' footboard, this could mean ample space for those who usually wear Filipino foot sizing.

Managing the minor bumps on the roads are the 12-inch tires and telescopic suspensions for the front and 10-inch tires and hydraulic suspensions for the rear portion. Its proportions seem to be a wee bit small for the vehicle’s overall dimensions of 1,895 millimeters (mm) long, 710 mm wide, and 1,175 mm tall with a 1,265-mm wheelbase. Its ground clearance could possibly improve should a larger wheel be fitted onto it.

Further, the 780-mm seat height and design could be good — even for large people. For tall riders, the “not-so-high, not-so-low” seat height will surely boost their confidence on the road.

Convenience

If there’s a department where the all-new Suzuki Avenis would excel, it would definitely pertain to convenience.

Riders need not to get out of the seat to top up after a long ride as the fuel lid is positioned outside the 21.8-liter underseat compartment. This design ensures security of the items stowed under the seat as they need not to be exposed every time the scooter has to be filled up with fuel.

Other technologies that the scooter has are the digital instrument panel (which displays time, fuel, kilometer reading, speed, and engine temperature) and an illuminated charging port inside the left front pocket of the motorcycle.

Pros/Cons

The all-new Suzuki Avenis is a no-nonsense ride. Sure, the looks could be a little too far out to some but its highly-ergonomic design makes it a strong option for those who are in the market for a practical two-wheeler.

Its pricing is also very reasonable, but a few hundreds of pesos slashed in the price tag could help it earn more customers.

Offered in Pearl Blaze Orange, Metallic Matte Black, and Pearl Mirage White, the all-new Suzuki Avenis is priced at P80,400 (as of posting).

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV

Also read:

Spec-checking the Suzuki Avenis

Lucky shoppers can get a chance to win a Suzuki Avenis at SM 3-day sale

2022 Suzuki Avenis showcases fuel-efficiency, abilities in long ride